Here’s the thing – I do love chili. But here’s the other thing – I’m kind of picky about chili. I like chili that is: comment icon 289 more comments
Thick! Mega thick. Chunky, but small, even chunks – no huge pieces of tomato, please. Spicy, but not like fire-in-your-mouth spicy. Just the cozy, warming, winter afternoon kind of spicy. Beany in moderation. I want to know that the beans are there, but not be thinking about beans with every bite.
So… with that, I’d like to introduce you to my new favorite Sunday Chili.
In This Post: Everything You Need For The Best Chili Recipe
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What I Love About This Recipe
It’s thick and appropriately chunky, spicy and extremely flavorful without being hot, balanced just right between meat, beans, and vegetables, and excellently scoopable (what else is chili for, really). And not to mention it does that chili magic thing where it GETS BETTER AS LEFTOVERS. There’s just something about a slow-simmered chili on a Sunday that’s chock-full of cozy goodness.
Ingredients For Chili
We have a really simple and delicious ingredient list for you.
Ground beef Bacon Jalapeño pepper, onion, and garlic Carrots (if you want) Spices Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste Beans (black beans and pinto beans are great, or you can also add kidney beans) Broth
Easy ingredients, the perfect balance of flavors, and all ready to simmer away.
The Basics On How To Make Homemade Chili
Here we go – let’s cook! Scoop these big flavors into a bowl, get your toppings together (maybe cilantro, probably avocado, definitely chips!) and let’s gooooo!
Adding Bacon and Winning Hearts
The bacon! Did the bacon get mentioned yet?! You need it. It’s crispy, and smoky, and provides just the right amount of surprise. Plus, bonus! You can just sauté your veg right up in that bacon grease. Bless it. Plus, spices! It’s all in the spices here, friends. Use really fresh spices. Just trust! Go into your kitchen cabinet or spice drawer right now and make sure you don’t have any spices that you’re still using that are from 1986 because, yes, the hairstyles were boppin’, but no, your spices are most definitely not still boppin’ from then. We’re using chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and salt, which are such kitchen staples that you’ll go through them really quickly.
Thick Chili Or Thin Chili?
Either beef broth or chicken broth will be perfect here for the liquid in this chili. Low-sodium broth can work in a pinch if that’s what you have on hand – just add a bit more salt to balance everything out. Personally, thick chili is the way to go IMO, but just add a bit more broth if you need to thin it out.
Let’s Talk Chili Toppings
The toppings – do we even need to discuss? – are a heavenly salad bar of possibilities. My favorites:
Avocado Cotjia cheese or cheddar cheese Cilantro Green onion Red onion Sour cream Crushed tortilla chips or crumbled cornbread or Fritos if you’re classy… yes, yes, and yes.
What Else To Serve With Chili
There’s a lot happening here to make this recipe a meal in itself, but if you’re making a full spread, there are a few favorites you could serve alongside it:
Cornbread: It’s a classic for a reason! It just works. Baked Potatoes: Bake ’em, slice ’em open, and stuff ’em with all this chili goodness. Wholeheartedly approve of this decision. One-Ingredient Socca: As you know, I’m currently obsessed with this and I think the golden/crispy/bready texture makes it a great dipper with this chili. Miracle No Knead Bread: But there’s always this delicious bread for something a little more crusty, hot, buttery, and traditional Simple Green Salad: For a little something fresh, green, and crunchy to brighten things up.
How To Freeze Leftover Chili
Okay, wait. You have leftovers? But how?! While we don’t fully understand how you have extras of the best chili ever (!), good news is this chili freezes wonderfully! This hearty, meaty, chunky, high-protein, slow-simmered Sunday chili has BEEN THERE for me and it can be there for you, too. Grab your toppings and your dippers and your biggest soup spoon. Sunday + Chili + You = A Very Good Thing. Source notes: Chili recipes that helped me come up with this version: Oh Sweet Basil’s Instant Pot Chili and Pressure Cook Recipes Instant Pot Chili. (The last few weeks I started making a Sunday chili in the Instant Pot but realized I preferred a regular stovetop version better, which is how I got here!)
More Popular Chili Recipes To Enjoy
Queso Chicken Chili (chili with a twist and it’s so good) Rockin’ 5 Ingredient Sweet Potato Turkey Chili (so much YUM) Instant Pot Pumpkin Walnut Chili (walnuts in chili FTW!) 30 Minute Spicy Ancho Turkey Chili (oldie but a goodie)
One More Thing!
This recipe is part of our coziest comfort food recipes page. Check it out! 4.9 from 113 reviews Slow Cooker Instructions: Once everything is browned up, you can add it to your crockpot on low for 3 hours. Enjoy!
